Car-unloader and carrier-feeder.



PATENTED NOV. 11, 1903.

J. Si WILLIAMS. CAR UNLOADER AND CARRIER FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

1 i-bueoou PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

J. S. WILLIAMS. GER UNLOADER' AND CARRIER FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29. 1903.

4 SHEE'IS- SHEET 2.

no O EL.

TO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. o. c.

No. 744,660. I v 'PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903.

J. S. WILLIAMS.

OAR UNLOADER AND CARRIER FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 n1: nonms PETERS cov. FHOTDLIYHQ, WASHINGTON, D c,

PATEN'I'ED NOV. 17, 1903.

- J. s. WILLIAMS.

GAR UNLOADER AND cAEEIEE FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- 29, 1903.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

N0 MODEL;

[ls MENTOR 64 t R m N E THE NORRIS Pzrzns co, FHOTO-UTNQ. WASHINGTON. :1. c4

No. 744,660. v v

UNI ED STATES Patented Novemberl'Y, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES SCOTT WILLIAMS, OF THIBODAUX, LOUISIANA.

CAR-UNLOADER AND CARRIER-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,660, dated November 17, 1903. Application filed August 29, 1903. Serial No. 171.275. (No model-l To ctZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES Sco'rT WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Thibodaux, in the parish of Lafourche and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inOar-Unloaders and Carrier-Feeders and I do hef'eby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, 'such'as'will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same,

My invention relates to improvements in the top of the carrier is flush with the level of the ground or plat-form, constituting what is known as the cane-yard, and on this cane-yard the cane is dumped from carts and dragged in various ways and fed in suitable quantities to the canecarrier.

In order not to overtax the mill, the layer of cane on the carrier should not be excessively deep, while in order to secure the best extraction of the juice and quick work it is desirable to have the feed not only sufficiently heavy, but also as uniformly distributed on the carrier as is practicable. The herein-described apparatus has been found in practice admirably adapted to securethe desired results.

Reference is had to Figure 1, which shows a cross-section through the carrier with an end elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken away and thecarbeing shown on a reduced scale to come within the limits of the drawings. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, parts being broken away; and Fig. 3

shows. a section along the .line 3 3 of Fig. 2'

andlooking in'the' direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 shows a mechanism. for automatically shifting the belts and causing the rake to automatically move backward and forward uncal frame 13 is secured, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

0 (shown only iuFigxl represents the top member of the endless carrier, which leads to the'mill. (Not shown.) The carrier being of Well-known construction and not a part of my present invention need not-be illustrated further. 1 I

D represents a box-car having one side'D hinged to lower and rest on the top rail 0 a one side of the carrier. -E'represents a rake which is fast to two beams E,which are hinged, as at 6 to the frame E The beams E are stifiened and braced by means of the cross-piece E and the braces e.

Secured to the frame E is a block E to which the two ends of the wire rope Fare secured. The bight of this rope is wound on the drum H, and rotating this drum in onedirection or the other will cause the rake to move forward or be drawn backward, as may be desired. Thisdrum H is mounted on the shaft H, which carries a gear-wheel H meshing in the pinion I on the shaft 1, which shaft 1 carries a gear-wheel I meshing with the pinion K on the shaft K. This shaft K carries three pulleys K two of them loose to the shaft and the third, in the center, being a fast pulley, and over these pulleys pass the belt L and the crossed belt L, which N, (see Fig. 3,) which shaft N carries a drivepulley N which is driven by the belt N from the pulleyO on the main drive-shaft O. This drive-shaft 0 may be driven by any suitable source of power, preferably a small steam-engine. (Not shown.) These belts L L are shifted by means of a suitable beltshifter, such as Y and by shifting the belts the rake is caused to move backwardor forward, as the case may be. These belts are pass over a pulleyN on the counter-shaft normally automatically shifted by means of a lever 1, pivoted to a part act the frame A,

as at 11, and carrying cam-plates t' and 41, which 5 swing the lever about its pivot and will move the bar Y to which the belt-shifter Y is connected. Thus at each end of the travel of the rake the roller e will cause the lever I to automatically shift the belts L and L.

When it is desired to limit the travel of the rake, this may be done by levers Y and Z, which move the bars Y and Z, rocking the levers Y and Z and moving the bar Y and the belt-shifter by hand. I provide two of these levers, Y and Z, with operating parts connected thereto, one for shifting the belts to the going-ahead position and the other for shifting the belts to the withdrawing position of the rake.

In order to prevent the swaying of the levers Y and Z when the lever I is automatically rocked, I connect the levers Y and Z by means of slotted links, such as y, to a pin i on the lever I, and thus the lever I may be rocked through the requisite angle without moving the levers Y and Z I use a friction-clutch H by means of which the drum H is normally caused to move with the shaft H or may be released from engagement with said shaft when desired.

The counter-shaft N carries a fast pulley N over which passes the belt P, driving the pulley Q, fast on the shaft Q, (see Fig. 3,) which shaft carries a sprocket-wheel Q meshing in the sprocket-chain R,which passes over the sprocket-wheel S on the shaft S. This shaft carries a drum S which is thrown in and out of engagement by the clutch mechanism S and is also provided with a handbrake X, operated by the treadle X. On this drum S is wound a wire rope T, which is secured, as at t, to some part of the caneshed (not shown) on the opposite side of the carrier. This rope T passes over the idler U, over the wheels V of the overhead truck mounted on the suspended tracks W, and the rope passes under the pulley V, secured above the rake E.

To prevent the rope T from paying out too far, I provide a stop i, (see Fig. 1,) which engages in the arm 20 of the frame W when the rake is in the lowest position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. By providing this stop it will not be necessary to use any great care in operating the mechanism for easing off the roller, and the rake cannot fall down too far.

The operation of the device is as follows: Suppose the rake to be in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and the counter-shaft N to be revolving with belts L and L in the normal position for moving the rake outward. Now let the attendant by means of the clutch mechanism H connect the drum H to the shaft H. The rope F will be wound up, causing the outer end of the rope, which passes over the idler G, to draw the rake outward. At the same time by means of the clutch S the rope T is wound up on the drum S lifting the rake, the combined result of the two motions being that the rake takes the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. As the rake moves outward the truck V will move outward on the tracks U. Now, the rake being in the outer and raised position, release the clutch S and the rake will lower down on the cane in the car D. At this time the belts L and L are automatically shifted by means of the lever I, and the rake will be drawn back to the position indicated in full lines. The slack of the rope T is controlled by means of the handbrake treadle X, and the rope is prevented from paying out too far by means of the stop 25. In case it is desired to stop the rake before it reaches the outermost limit of its travel or to stop it before it reaches the farthest inward position this may be done by the levers Y and Z. Thus it will be seen that the rake vibrates normally, but that its travel may be regulated at the will of the operator.

It will be obvious that two or more rakes may be used, located at different positions along the carrier, and that the feed on the carrier may be distributed in a substantially uniform way.

Of course the rake or rakes can be used with equal advantage while the cane is dragged along any suitable platform from which it may be delivered to the carrier, and thus this apparatus is especially adapted to be used when the sides of the carrier are flush with the ground where the cane-yard is covered either with cement or is provided with any suitable floor.

It will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the herein-described apparatus which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake, and means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a platform located at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform, and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, a drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and passing over said drum and over a pulley carried by said plat form, and means for rotating said drum in either direction when desired, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform mounted at one side of the carrier, a rake mounted on said platform and extend IIO ing over the carrier, a rigid frame connected to the back ofsaid take, a drum with means for throwing same into and out of operation, a rope connected at each end to said frame for moving said frame longitudinally on said platform, and means for raising and lowering mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, a pulleyr'sec ured to said 5' rake, an overhead truck provided with pulleys,an-overhead track parallel to said platform, a drum, anda rope'passing over said pulleys and wound on said drum for raising and lowering said rake, and means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, substantiallyas described.

5; In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a platform located at one'side of the carrier, aframe mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, a rope and drum for'raising and lowering said rake when desi'red,a second drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and .passing over said second drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, and means for rotating said drum in either direction when desired, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus 'of'th'e character described, the combination with a platform located at one sideof the carrier, a frame mountdrum-into and out of operation and for reversing same when desired, a second drum, a

rope secured at each end to said frame and passing over said second drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, and meansfor rotating said drum in either direction when desired, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a' horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, a pulleysecnred to said rake, an overhead truck provided with pulleys, an overhead trackparallel to said platform, a drum, and a rope passing over said pulleys and wound on said drum for raising and lowering said rake, a band-brake for checking the rotation of said drum, and means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of --the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, a pulley secured to said rake, an overhead truck provided with pulleys, an overhead track parallel to said platform, a drum, and a rope passing over said pulleys and wound on said drum for raising and lowering said rake, a second drum with means for reversing same and for throwing same into and out of operation, and a rope wound on said .drum and connected at each endto said frame for moving said frame longitudinally on said platform, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, a pulley securedto said rake, an overhead truck provided with. pulleys, an'overhead track parallel to said platform, a drum, and a rope passing over said pulleys and wound on said drum for raising and lowering said rake, a clutch for throwingsaid drum into and out of operation, and a brake for checking the rotation of said drum, a second drum with means for reversing same and for throwing same intoand out ofoperation, and a rope wound on said drum and connected at each end to said frame for moving said frame longitudinally on said platform, substantially as described. 7 v 10. In ,an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination with a platform lolongitudinally thereon, a rakecarried by said I frame, a rope and drum, for raising and lowering said rake when desired, a second drum,

a rope Wound on said, second drum and secured ateach end to said frame and passing over said seconddrum and over a pulley carried by said platform, means for rotating said drum in either direction, and means for throwing said drum out of operation when desired, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, the combination with a platform located at one side of the carrier, a frame monnted on said platform, and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, a drum, an overhead truck, pulleys, a rope rove oversaid pulleys and wound on said drums, a drum for raising and lowering said rake, withmeansfor throwing said drum into and out of operation and for reversing same when desired, a second drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and passing IIO over said second drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, and means for rotating said second drum in either direction and for throwing it out of operation when desired, substantially as described.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a'frame mounted on said platform and adapted toslide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried byone end of said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake, means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, and means automatically operated for shifting the direction of said rake at predetermined points of its travel, substantially as described.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a platform located at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform, and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, a drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and passing over said drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, means for rotating said drum in either direction when desired, and means automatically operated by the motion of said rake, for reversing the direction of rotation of said drum, substantially as described.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform mounted at one side of the carrier, a rake mounted on said platform and extending over the carrier, a rigid frame connected to the back of said rake, a drum with means for throwing same into and out of operation, a rope connected at each end to said frame for moving said frame and rake longitudinally on said platform, means automatically operated by the motion of said rake, for reversing the direction of rotation of said drum, and means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, 2. frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slidelongitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of said frame, a pulley secured to said rake, an overhead truck provided with pulleys, an overhead track parallel to said platform, a drum, and a rope passing over said pulleys and wound on said drum for raising and lowering said rake, means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, and means automatically operated by the motion of said frame for reversing its direction, substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform mounted at one side of the carrier, a rake mounted on said platform and extending over the carrier, a rigid frame connected to the back of said rake, means for moving said frame longitudinally on said platform, a roller carried by the frame and a lever with cam-plates pivoted to said platform for automatically shifting the direction of said rake at predetermined points of its travel, and means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a horizontal platform at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by one end of saidframe, means for raising and lowering said rake, means for moving said frame in or out on said platform, and a lever with cam-plates thereon automatically operated by the motion of said frame, with mechanism operated by said lever for shifting the direction of said rake at predetermined points of its travel, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a platform located at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform, and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, a drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and passing over said drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, pulleys and belts for rotating said drum in either direction when desired, and a belt-shifter automatically oper ated by the motion of said rake, for reversing the direction of rotation of said drum, substantially as described.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a platform located at one side of the carrier, a frame mounted on said platform, and adapted to slide longitudinally thereon, a rake carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said rake when desired, a drum, a rope secured at each end to said frame and passing over said drum and over a pulley carried by said platform, pulleys and belts for rotating said drum in either direction when desired, and a belt-shifter and a lever for controlling same automatically operated by the motion of said rake, for reversing the direction of rotation of said drum, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SCOTT WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

L. V. AZEMAR, AB. BONDNAM.

ICC 

